Frame structure for wire termination blocks



Ju y 1970 J. H. M KENZlE, JR 5 L FRAME STRUCTURE FOR WIRE TERMINATIONBLOCKS Filed June 4, 1968 R 2 Sheets-Sheet l I 1 4.4 #JM July 21, 1970Filed June 4, 1968 J. H. M KENZlE, JR 3,521,129

FRAME STRUCTURE FOR WIRE TERMINATION BLOCKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 UnitedStates Patent US. Cl. 317-122 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Aframe structure for mounting telephone wire termination blocks includesa vertical support and a plurality of modular frame members mountedthereon. Each modular frame member has horizontally spaced, verticallyextending brackets that cooperate with the vertical support for mountingthe frame. A termination block support is secured to the verticallyextending brackets and carries a jumper rack which serves as a shelf forjumper wires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The field of the invention relates to aframe structure adapted to accommodate termination blocks used bytelephone companies.

A need has arisen for a frame which can accept the new terminationblocks of the quick connect type, and at the same time be compatiblewith existing equipment including the conventional solder type terminalassembly. In conventional systems, as a subscriber desired additionaland more efficient telephone service it was necessary to use more floorspace. Also, the cost of adding and maintaining such services wasexpensive due to the high labor cost caused by the congestion of theexisting wiring system.

The subject invention seeks to provide a simple and inexpensive solutionto the indicated problem, whereby floor space can be conserved, initialinstallation of wires can be accelerated, maintenance of the wiringsystem can be simplified and new lines can be added quickly andinexpensively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide animproved frame for mounting telephone wire termination blocks whichincludes a jumper rack acting as a shelf for jumpering wires.

A further object is to provide an improved frame of the characterindicated which is simple in form, easy to manufacture and assemble, andeflicient in operation.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

The invention in one form comprises a frame structure for accommodatingtelephone wire termination blocks including a vertical support and atleast one pair of substantially identical modular frame membersremovably mounted on opposite sides of the vertical support. Eachmodular frame member has speed, vertically extending bracket memberswhich engage the vertical support. Wire termination block supports aresecured to the bracket members and extend outwardly therefrom to formhori zontal passageways for jumper wires. A jumper rack is carried bythe block supports and includes a plurality of open rings. A retainerclamp engages at least some of the rings of each modular frame member ofa pair to form in conjunction with the rings a continuous shelf for thepassage of jumper wires. The upper portion of the retainer clamp isprovided with guide members for maintaining the jumper wires in anorderly arrangement on the jumper rack.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of theframe embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the frame;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the frame;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the frame;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of certain componentsof the frame;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of certain components of the frame inan assembled condition; and

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of an alternative embodiment of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing, animproved frame structure is shown in FIGS. 1-4 and is generallyindicated by the numeral 20. Frame structure 20 is rectangular inconfiguration and is designed to accept wire termination blocks B of thequick connect type.

The frame structure has vertical supports 21 and 22 which arehorizontally spaced and are preferably C- shaped in cross-section (seeFIG. 4). The legs of the vertical supports face each other and are heldin position by base support members 23 and 24 and cross members 25 and26. The base support members and the cross members are preferablyL-shaped in cross-section. Base support member 23 and cross member 25are welded, or otherwise suitably secured, to one leg of supports 21 and22 on one side thereof. Likewise, base support member 24 and crossmember 26 are welded, or otherwise suitably secured, to the other leg ofsupports 21 and 22. The base support members 23 and 24 may be providedwith apertures, not shown, for receiving bolts which may be used tosecure the frame structure to a floor.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, two frame structures 20 may be securedtogether in an abutting relationship. This can be accomplished byproviding apertures in the bight portions of the abutting supportmembers 21 and 22 which receive securing means such as bolts, not shown.Thus, a plurality of frame structures 20 may be aligned along a wall ina simple and efiicient manner, whereby individual frames may be replacedin part or the whole assembly may be deleted entirely with relative easeby merely disengaging the securing means.

The vertical supports are provided with headed studs 27 which aresecured to the legs and extend outwardly therefrom. These studs areadapted to cooperate with a modular frame member 30 which is moreclearly shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Modular frame member 30 includes a pairof horizontally spaced mounting brackets 31 and 32. Each bracket isprovided with two keyhole apertures 34 which receive the headed studs 27when the modular frame member is placed in position on the framestructure. In assembling the modular frame member mounting bracketkeyholes 34 are aligned with headed studs 27 whereafter the bracket isslid over the studs and then released downwardly so that the smalleropening of the keyhole slot contacts the shank portion of the stud (FIG.5). To remove the modular frame member, the assembly process is simplyreversed.

A pair of block mounting members 35 and 36 are provided and aregenerally C-shaped in configuration. The free ends of each mountingmember are welded to the brackets. Upper and lower brace members 37 and38 extend between and are removably secured to the bight portion of eachmounting member 35 and 36 by screws or the like. Brace members 37 and 38are preferably L-shaped and have notched ends with tongues 40 and 41,respectively, which engage the bight portion of the mounting member. Thescrews extend through the tongues and are threadedly disposed in themounting member. A rack support member 42 is provided and also extendsbetween and is removably secured to mounting members 35 and 36 byscrews. The rack support is preferably L-shaped and has notched endswith a tongue 43 on both ends which is secured to the upper leg of eachmounting member. A screw extends through tongue 43 and is threadedlydisposed in the upper leg of the C-shaped mounting member.

A jumper rack, generally indicated by the numeral 45, is carried by racksupport 42 and extends longitudinally of the modular frame member.Jumper rack 45 comprises a plurality of J-shaped rings 46 which arehorizontally spaced on rack support 42. The long leg 47 of each ring iswelded to rack support 42.

Referring to FIG. 6, two modular frame members are shown in theassembled condition as they would be when mounted on the frame structure20. A retainer clamp 48 is provided and includes upper and lower platemembers 49 and 50, respectively. The long legs of the J-shaped rings ofa pair of opposing modular frame members, with the exception of theoutermost rings, are disposed in a clamped relationship between theplates. Screws 51 are used to clamp the plates against the legs of therings. The retainer clamp in conjunction with the rings form acontinuous shelf for the passage of jumper wires between opposite sidesof the frame structures. It is to be understood that the retainer clampis assembled after the modular frame members have been mounted on theframe structure.

Two guide posts 52 and 53 extend from upper plate 49 and are suitablysecured thereto, as by welding. These posts serve to channel andmaintain the jumpering wires in an orderly arrangement on the jumperrack, thereby providing a compact and uniform wiring system.

The wire termination blocks B may be of several different typesmanufactured by the telephone companies, and form no part of theinvention. The modular frame member disclosed herein is designed tomount the blocks now being used by the industry as well as thosepreviously used. Blocks B may be secured to the mounting members byscrews. Normally the blocks are manufactured with spacer mountingbracket means, not shown, which are used for mounting the block on themodular frame member. These spacer brackets in combination with theC-shaped mounting members of the modular frame provide a space S betweenmounting members 35 and 36 and the inner surface of blocks B (FIG. 3).This space is used for the passage of horizontal jumper wires.Preferably, the blocks are vertically aligned in a substantially flushrelationship with the outer surface of the rings of jumper racks 45 asshown more clearly in FIG. 3.

When blocks are used which do not have spacer brackets, it iscontemplated that a spacer be provided which acts to mount the block onthe modular frame and space it therefrom in a substantially flushrelationship with the jumper racks. In FIG. such a bracket 54 is shownand is generally V-shaped with a flat bottom 55 and inturned flanges 56which have apertures therethrough to receive mounting screws (notshown). An additional horizontally extending brace member 57 is providedintermediate brace members 37 and 38 and is necessary to assurestability since, unlike the blocks manufactured with spacer mountingbrackets, the blocks manufactured without the brackets do not havesufficient reinforcement against bending.

The termination blocks may be of varying lengths and FIG. 7 shows blocksB mounted on frame structure 20' which are approximately twice as longas those depicted in FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment brackets 31 are notused and mounting members 35 and 36 are suitably secured directly tovertical supports 21 and 22, as by welding. As is readily apparent, theframe is capable of accepting modular frame members of varying lengthand size with relative ease.

An advantage of using modular frame members is that the wire terminationblocks may be mounted either before or after the modular frame member ispositioned on the vertical supports. Once the modular frames arepositioned, an individual modular frame can be easily removed when it isnecessary for wire re-routing or for the placement of additionalpermanent incoming or outgoing cables without disturbing the remainingmodular frames.

Another advantage of using modular frames is that they may be mounted ononly one side of a frame. The frame then could be placed closelyadjacent to a wall and floor space would be conserved. If additionaltelephone wire termination blocks are needed at a later time, it wouldbe necessary only to move the frame away from the wall a sufficientdistance to allow for the additional blocks on the other side of theframe.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 the blocks are mounted on the modularframes in such a way as to provide vertical passageways A. Suchpassageways aid in reducing the congestion of wires which has heretoforecaused problems when jumper Wires had to be re-routed. Each level ofblocks has jumper racks which also help to reduce congestion of wires byproviding a uniform distribution of jumper wires over the plurality oflevels and thus, no individual level is required to accept an overloadof jumper wires. This uniform distribution of wires enables a telephoneworkman to re-route jumper wires easier since the congestion of wires isreduced thereby making wire tracing less of a problem.

The permanent incoming and outgoing cables may be routed above framestructure 20 or may be brought up through the floor. In either instance,the cable is routed in the inner surface of the C-shaped verticalsupports 21 and 22 and is held in place by suitable clamp means known inthe art. The various wires from the cable may be connected to theirrespective termination points on the blocks. By disposing the permanentcable in the inner surfaces of the vertical supports, the possibility ofinterference with the jumper wires extending between the blocks issubstantially eliminated.

In order to more clearly understand the ease with which the jumper wiresmay be routed, reference is made to FIGS. 2 and 4. A jumper wire pathfrom block X to block Y is indicated in FIG. 2 by line where blocks Xand Y are located on the same side of the frame structure. It isnecessary only to have two bends for each jumper used to connect any twotermination blocks on the frame structure. This simplifies jumperplacement and routing and allows for the interweaving of jumper wires ina compact and orderly manner.

A jumper wire path from block X on one side of the frame to block Y onthe opposite side is indicated by line in FIG. 4. The legs 47 of rings46 and retainer clamp 48 serve as a continuous shelf for the jump erwire extending between blocks X and Y. As in the case where the blocksare on the same side of the frame, in this jumper connection there wouldbe only two 90 bends in the jumper wires.

Preferably, the vertical support and the modular frame members, with theexception of the rings, are manufactured from a hot-rolled steel. Therings may be manufactured from a cold-rolled steel. Alternatively, othermaterials such as aluminum and synthetic plastic may be used.

Although the frame structure is designed to accommodate telephone wiretermination blocks, it may with equal facility be used to mount soldertype terminals, central office protectors and other electrical devices.

It is thus seen that a frame structure has been provided for mountingelectrical devices, such as telephone wire termination blocks, which issimple in form, easy to manufacture and assemble, and efficient inoperation.

While a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited thereto since many minormodifications may be made; and it is, therefore, contemplated by theappended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

The invention having thus been described, what is claimed and desired tobe secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A frame structure for accommodating telephone wire termination blockscomprising a vertical support, at least one pair of substantiallyidentical modular frame members removably mounted on opposite sides ofthe vertical support, each modular frame member comprising horizontallyspaced, vertically extending members mounting the frame on the verticalsupport, termination block support means secured to the mounting meansand extending outwardly therefrom including vertically extending memberswhich are C-shaped in configuration and horizontally arranged memberssecured to the C-shaped members at the bight portion thereof, and ajumper rack carried by said block support means including a plurality ofhorizontally spaced J-shaped open rings, and a retainer clamp meansengaging at least some of the rings of each modular frame member of apair to form a continuous shelf with said rings for the passage ofjumper wires.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein the vertically extendingmembers of each modular frame memher have apertures and the verticalsupport has lugs which are disposed within said apertures for mountingthe frame on the support.

3. The invention according to claim 2 wherein the long leg of eachJ-shaped ring is secured to the block support means and has its free endextending toward the lOng leg of a J-shaped ring of the opposing modularframe member.

4. The invention according to claim 3 wherein the retainer clamp meansincludes two horizontally spaced plates removably connected together,and the free ends of the long legs of some of the J-shaped rings aredisposed in a clamped relationship therebetween.

5. The invention according to claim 4 wherein the upper horizontal plateof the retainer clamp means includes at least two upwardly extendingguides for channeling jumper wires.

6. A modular frame member for accommodating telephone wire terminationblocks comprising a mounting means including horizontally spaced,vertically extending members each having a means thereon adapted tocooperate with a supporting structure for allowing the frame member tobe disconnected therefrom; block support means secured to said mountingmeans and including vertically extending members which are generally C-shaped in configuration and horizontally extending members secured tosaid vertically extending members at the bight portion thereof, saidvertically extending members having means for holding the terminationblocks in place; and a jumper rack for wires carried by the blocksupport means and located adjacent one end thereof.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein the jumper rack includes aplurality of horizontally spaced I-shaped open rings which are adaptedto serve as shelves for jumper wires.

8. A modular frame member for accommodating telephone wire terminationblocks comprising a mounting means including horizontally spaced, firstvertically extending members each having a means thereon adapted tocooperate with a supporting structure for allowing the frame member tobe disconnected therefrom; block support means secured to said mountingmeans and including second vertically extending members protrudinggenerally outwardly of the mounting means with horizontally extendingmeans secured to said second vertically extending members, said secondvertically extending members having means for holding the terminationblocks in place; and a jumper rack for wires carried by the blocksupport means and located adjacent one end thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,065,897 12/1936 Kenner 317-99 X2,182,847 12/1939 Johnson 317-122 2,572,617 10/1951 Haury 317-993,088,055 4/1963 Schwing 317-122 3,148,311 9/1964 Conway 317-- X LEWISH. MYERS, Primary Examiner G. P. TOLIN, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.317-119

